In Plain Language II Parkinson’s And Life

Parkinson’s disease affects most areas of your life, and most people who have just been diagnosed have many questions about how to deal with those effects. Here are some answers to some of the questions you may have about how Parkinson’s will affect your life and how to cope with those effects.

Will I have to stop working?
How Parkinson’s disease affects your employment depends on just how severe the symptoms are and how much they interfere with your ability to do your job. Many people continue to work without any problems for years after their diagnosis. For others, the symptoms of Parkinson’s present a danger that ends their career or forces a change. If your job requires fine motor skills, for instance, and your hand trembles too much to accomplish the tasks associated with your work, you may not be able to keep working. Like so many other aspects of Parkinson’s, this one is completely dependent on the individual case.

Can my boss fire me because I have Parkinson’s disease?
The Americans with Disabilities Act gives you some protection from being fired because you have a disability. Under that law, if you inform your employer of your disability and request a ‘reasonable accommodation’ that will allow you to continue to do your job satisfactorily, you cannot be fired because of your disability unless reasonable accommodations have been made and you still can't meet the requirements of your job. If you believe that your job is in jeopardy because of your Parkinson’s, you should contact a lawyer who specializes in disability rights.

What will happen to me financially if I can't work because of my Parkinson’s?
A lot of that depends on your age. If you’re already at retirement age, you can probably retire just as you would if you didn't have Parkinson’s. In some cases, you may be eligible for early retirement. If you’re not close to retirement age, or don't have a retirement plan, there are a number of government programs that can help you, such as SSDI, SSI and Medicare.

What about health insurance?
Health insurance can be difficult to maintain even for a healthy person. The laws about termination from health insurance vary from state to state, but there are health insurance plans that you may qualify for. Be sure to keep any information or paperwork from your employer about health insurance in case you need it to establish eligibility for state or federal health financial aid programs.

How do I tell my family especially my children?
That’s a personal decision, of course, but you should be aware that all but the youngest of your children have probably already noticed your symptoms. If they have, they're probably worried. Telling them that you have Parkinson’s gives them a name for what’s happening to you. The experts recommend that you be reassuring with your children and focus on the fact that you can look forward to many years of normal activities, and that in the meantime, there are researchers all over the world working on a cure for Parkinson’s disease.





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